Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 2/2016 | Page 114

5 TOP DIVE SITES 1 Waigeo and Kawe Waigeo’s dive sites include mangrove bays, a saltwater river, coral garden surrounded white sand islands, and current-fed underwater ridges. The large Aljuie Bay is almost 20 kilometres long and features numerous macro opportunities near the resident Pearl Farm. The smaller island of Gam is separated from Waigeo by only a few metres and takes on a river-like appearance. “The Passage”, as this separator is known, is a shallow channel with overarching jungle and small eddies and bays that feature soft corals and caverns. Islets such as Wofo off Waigeo’s west coast are known for their picture postcard appearance above water and immaculate coral gardens below. “Black Rocks”, off Waigeo’s western neighbour, Kawe, is easily spotted by a group of jagged rocks slicing through the swells. Here, sea fans, soft corals and fish all compete for your attention when the current is running. 1 WAIGEO & KAWE 3 JEF FAM 2 DAMPIER STRAIT WEST PAPUA RAJA AMPAT 4 NORTHERN MISOOL 5 SOUTHERN MISOOL 6 SOUTHERN MISOOL